Weight-Loss Injections: What You Need to Know
The NHS has announced that a new weight-loss injection called Mounjaro (tirzepatide) will soon be available to help people with obesity, there are also other weight-loss injections, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). This news has created a lot of interest, and we’ve been getting many questions about it.
Let’s take a closer look at what this means for you and how it could affect GP services (we will write this in the context of the most recent news around Mounjaro, but the information below is the same for all weight loss injections)
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a new injection designed to help with weight loss. It works by making you feel full, so you eat less. In trials, people using Mounjaro lost up to 20% of their body weight.
The NHS plans to make this injection available from March 2025 for people who:
Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35.
Have at least one obesity-related health problem, like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
However, at first, Mounjaro will only be available to patients in specialist weight-management services. The wider rollout, which may include GP practices, is expected to start later in the year.
When Will It Be Available?
The NHS has a long-term plan to make Mounjaro widely available. However, this will take time – possibly up to 12 years – to ensure services can manage the demand.
From March 2025, the injection will be offered to those with the highest medical need, via weight management services. Over the next three years, about 220,000 people are expected to benefit from it.
For now, GP practices like ours are waiting for further guidance on how and when this injection will become available for more patients.
What We Offer Right Now
At Stubbington Medical Practice, we know how important weight management is for your health. While Mounjaro is not yet available through our surgery, we can support you with:
NHS Health Checks: These include weight management advice and checks for other health conditions.
Diet and Exercise Advice: Our health and wellbeing team can guide you on making lifestyle changes to help manage your weight.
Support Services: We can connect you with other NHS programs that focus on healthy weight management and refer you to specialist weight management services in line with NHS guidance. Please submit an eConsult detailing what help you would like, and we can assist you further.
Consult Online from Home - Stubbington Medical Practice
Important Note
At the time of writing, all weight loss injections are only available through specific NHS specialist services. Please check with us to see if you qualify and to learn about other weight management options we can offer.
Read More
For more information about Mounjaro and its rollout, you can read the full BBC article here.